The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for TDIU, higher disability evaluations for left total knee arthroplasty, and SMC. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess her functional impairment due to her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her employability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current opinions were inadequate and remanded for additional development including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to reconcile with the August 2017 'VA Disability Review' by the Veteran's private vocational consultant.
- Claimed conditions
- borderline personality disorder, left total knee arthroplasty, left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, fracture of the right fifth finger, left knee surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20052141
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20052141.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee scar, and erectile dysfunction have been granted a 10 percent rating each. The effective date for these awards is January 1, 2025. An earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee chondromalacia with instability, status post total knee replacement was denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for painful left knee scar was granted.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 12, 2011 for his entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 12, 2011.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's anxiety and panic disorder are being considered, as well as her personality disorder.
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